PHN is planning better health services for the Bundaberg Region community, and is asking for residents to help by completing a survey.
Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN funds services like community mental health, suicide prevention training, and a cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation program in the Wide Bay, and they have just launched their community health survey.
The PHN’s CEO Pattie Hudson said the survey would help the organisation to understand what was most important to the community and the health needs that people in the region faced.
“This kind of feedback is incredibly important in building healthy, resilient, connected communities across our region,” Ms Hudson said.
“We are hoping to reach as many people as possible through the survey so that voices from all ages and walks of life are included.
“The more people who can tell us their opinions, the more meaningful our planning will be.”
The PHN survey, which takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, addresses the issues that affect health and wellbeing, such as access to healthcare, social connections, and living standards.
The PHN’s Senior Manager Health Planning and Intelligence, Amanda Glenwright, says this kind of information gathering is vital in understanding the needs of our communities, for better planning, services, and health outcomes.
“This survey is one of the many ways we learn about the health and wellbeing of a community,” Ms Glenwright said.
“We can look at lots of data to see how the health of our region is going, but data doesn’t tell the whole picture – we need the voice of the community.
“That means finding out how safe people feel in their community, whether or not they have access to fresh food for their household or whether they have connection with others outside the home, for example.
“It’s crucial that we gain a broad understanding of what people value the most in terms of health and wellbeing in their community – the big stuff and the small – so we can plan services accordingly.”
Anyone can complete the survey, and those over 18 will go into the draw to win one of four $200 grocery vouchers.
Participants are also encouraged to share the survey with family, friends, co-workers, and others in their networks, to further help the PHN plan for better health outcomes in the community.
The Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN Health Needs Assessment Community Survey is open until 28 February 2021.
